In a ceremony that concluded a challenging year for the Miss USA beauty pageant, Alma Cooper of Michigan was crowned the new Miss USA on Sunday, CNN reported.
Cooper, 22, who is an officer in the United States Army, proudly spoke during the Q&A portion of the pageant. “As the daughter of a migrant worker, a proud Afro-Latina woman, and an officer in the United States Army, I am living the American dream,” she said.
The Stanford University graduate and US Army officer triumphed over 50 other contestants to claim the prestigious title. Reflecting on her journey, Cooper added, “If there’s anything that my life and my mother have taught me, it’s that your circumstances never define your destiny: You can make success accessible through demanding excellence.”
The crown was passed on stage by Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii, the former titleholder who had taken on the role in May following the unexpected resignation of 2023’s winner, Noelia Voigt of Utah. Voigt’s sudden departure had led to three months of upheaval for the pageant organizers.
In a twist adding to the controversy, the recently crowned Miss Teen USA, New Jersey’s UmaSofia Srivastava, also stepped down just days after Voigt. Gankiewicz described her brief and unexpected three-month reign as “the most unique in history.”
Despite the turbulence, the event proceeded as planned, showcasing the traditional swimwear and evening gown competitions. Kentucky’s Connor Perry and Oklahoma’s Danika Christopherson were named first and second runners-up, respectively.
With Cooper, a master’s degree holder in data science, now crowned, the Miss USA pageant looks forward to a return to stability.
